Patient's question:
Thank you! Some small lumps have grown on my nipples, and sometimes they itch. After scratching them, I feel pain and the nipples become wet. Is this a symptom of breast cancer? Thank you!Doctor's answer:
It could be mammary hyperplasia, but a definitive diagnosis requires medical examination. However, if you have doubts, you might consider self-examining for early symptoms of breast cancer. If you find any symptoms that match, don't worry. Recent medical research has shown that ginsenoside Rh2, an anti-cancer active compound extracted from ginseng essence, can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells and transform them into normal cells. If you are indeed diagnosed with breast cancer, taking ginsenoside Rh2 (Humedix) with a content of 16.2% can help control the progression of the disease. Below are some common symptoms of breast cancer:1. Lumps: This is the initial symptom in 95% of breast cancer cases. Most lumps are single, though multiple ones are rare. They are often round, oval, or irregular in shape, with a generally hard texture and unclear boundaries. In some cases, such as medullary carcinoma, the lumps may be softer with clearer boundaries. They are most commonly found in the outer upper quadrant, grow relatively quickly, and may be movable in the early stages.
2. Skin Changes: Common changes include dilated superficial veins, the "dimple sign," and orange-peel-like skin. In inflammatory breast cancer, the skin on the chest may darken, become hard and thick, with cancerous plaques and ulcers forming a "armor-like" chest wall. In advanced breast cancer, it may break through the surface, forming ulcers or cauliflower-like growths.
3. Changes in the Nipple and Areola: Central breast cancer affecting the large ducts can cause the nipple to become flat, inverted, or retracted, even embedding it into the areola, leading to deformation of the areola. Paget's disease may cause eczema-like changes in the nipple and areola skin.
4. Nipple Discharge: Nipple discharge associated with breast cancer accounts for 1.3-7% of all breast cancer cases, and is more common in intraductal and papillary cancers. Bloody discharge is most common, followed by serous, serosanguineous, and watery discharges. Breast cancer with discharge as the only symptom is rare and is usually early-stage intraductal or papillary cancer. Most nipple discharge breast cancers are discovered after a lump is found, followed by discharge.
5. Pain: Early-stage breast cancer presents as painless lumps. When breast cancer is combined with cystic hyperplasia, it may cause or dull pain. In advanced breast cancer, pain often indicates direct tumor invasion of nerves.
6. Swollen Axillary Lymph Nodes: This is rarely the initial symptom of breast cancer (unless it is an occult type). It usually suggests the progression of breast cancer and requires exclusion of metastases from other malignant tumors in the upper limb, shoulder, back, or chest. Pathological examination can aid in diagnosis. G9